Thursday, December 31, 2009

I "made" a few gifts this year, and wanted to share a few of them...My Sister-In-law's Great Grandmother "nearly" finished a quilt, so for Christmas, I helped it along a little and finished it up..hopefully doing it justice.It is entirely hand quilted and full of fun scrap fabrics.I also made a scrap fabric journal for my sister-in-law and sister, these photo's are before I attached the buttons, but you get the picture...You can see the tutorialhere from Happy Together. (She's a craft genius BTW)

This is coincidentally the fabric that I used to makeher a quilt last year for Christmas.And then, my favorite little craft of the year....a little piece of my heart.When my grandmother died the week before Christmas,I had to quickly fly out for the Memorial Service.

For the first time, I had to leave mylittle Lily behind...sniffle sniffle.

That day, I quickly went to my sewing machineand sewed her this little heart.I then stitched it up with red embroidery thread.

Right before I left,I gave it to her and told her tohold onto my heart becauseI'm coming back for it...

Pretty pathetic that I've only had about 4 Thursday Thoughtsfor all of 2009,but why not finish it off with a bang!

I was driving in my car this morning, thinking about my life and where I wanted it to go...yup, I'm the driver for MY life(or so I think I am)...

Anyway, I was thinking about how my life had changed since I woke up to the realitythat we don't have endless amounts of fake money through credit cards.

That was a year ago..almost exactly.In some ways,life seemed easier then because I was blissfully ignorant.

But in NEW ways, life is WAY more sweet. I have had to change my perspective on life, and learn(yes, I said learn) to cherish my family and spending time together.

I did not grow up in a family that spent that much time together, but when we did, I truly enjoyed it. I want those treasured memories for my children...but it does not come naturally for me.I REALLY have to work at "creating" quality, family time.That's why my New Year's Resolution is to invoke a Weekly Family Night.

Brian, my husband, remembers having themgrowing up and they are some of his favorite childhood memories.

I have learned to accept the fact that I am not a "natural" family person, but when I do settle into that role, there is nothing sweeter...

Have an amazing blessed New Year and resolve to cherish your family every day of your life...

Monday, December 28, 2009

It has officially been one year since Brian and I stopped using credit cards...woo hoo! This week, in honor of continuing to pay down our debt, I am going to have a "Use What's in The Pantry, Freezer and Fridge " Week... Aside from Milk, Butter and Eggs, I am not going to purchase anything extra.Here's what we have leftover from Produce Last Week: The Lemon Poppyseed Winter Salad from Last week was AMAZING!! I highly recommend it!FL BASILCA BROCCOLI CROWNSCOLLARD GREENSCUCUMBERSGREEN LEAF LETTUCECARROTS, JUICEYELLOW PEAR SHAPEDCHERRY TOMATO – HOLIDAY GIFTZUCCHINIGREEN PEPPERSCLOVER SPOUTSDAISY TANGERINESROME BEAUTY APPLESBOSC PEARSKIWIBANANASYELLOW ONIONSMANGOSBreakfasts: Oatmeal( Slow Cooker), Eggs & Toast, Egg BLossomswith Turkey Apple Sausages, Cinnamon BunsTreat for New Year's Morning

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Sometimes when you don't have any money, you are forced to think outside the box....hence my Christmas Letter Blog...why? Because blogs are free...free and free. Plus, I can make it as long as I want and don't have to worry about printing out color pictures.Here is the link to my Christmas Letter Blog... I would encourage you to write a Christmas Letter, even if only for yourself. It is a great way to look back on the year, document important (or really unimportant) things in your family's life.

In my Christmas Card, I just printed small squares that said to visit the site for our Christmas Letter...that way, the people who Actually Care...probably 3% can go read it, and I don't waste my ink cartridge on those who don't

Well, I'm a day late...and it feels like I won't be able to catch up with anything in my life until after Christmas. I have the exact feeling I dread during Christmas time, the feeling that I won't get it all done.

In light of that feeling, I am crossing one thing off my list and actually doing my menu plan!We are receiving are produce share today...here is what it will be:

Sunday, December 13, 2009

I felt like last week was the beginning of the "party and event" Christmas season...which in some ways irks me because I feel pulled in so many different directions and that in a way I am forgetting what this time is all about. Nevertheless, I had a great time at all of the events I went to, how's that for cliche' ?

Here is the list of produce we still have left from the Organic Produce Share:

Put all ingredients into plastic sealable container and close lid. Shake around till all cucumbers are coated with vinegar and other ingredients. You can serve then, or let them marinate and become almost like pickles! Enjoy :)

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

There, I said it...There aren't many women who can say they are jealousof their husbands craft skills,but I can say...

that

YES,

I am jealous.

He's knitting up some prettycool projects for family for Christmas,and he's pretty darn good at it!He just knit these adorable fingerless mittens for Lily...she thought she was pretty cool wearing themto the Boat Parade this past weekend...thank goodness it was cold enough for her to wear them!Click Here for the Pattern!

Sunday, December 6, 2009

'Twas the Night Before Tomorrow which would make it Tonight,I pledge to wash all my dishes have not one in sight.The socks are in the wash cleaning with care,hoping I remember to dry them so they'll be ready to wear.The children are nestled all snug in their beds,without a bath I might add, so don't smell their little heads.With mama so tired from kids always on her lap,She has visions of sleeping through the night or maybe just a short nap.When out in the living room she trips over the kids toys,wondering who can I blame the little girls or the boys.Away to the toy room she flew like a flash,Tore open the toybox and threw in the kid's stash.The moon shaped bump on her left big toe,Was aching with pain she thought how could they not know.When what to her weary tired eyes should appear,but all her little children who couldn't help but hear,That they made mommy mad, boy they made her upset,so they picked up their toys,gave her a hug and made mommy smile yet....

Just something I was thinking up while doing the dishes tonightand thought I'd write it down. Can anyone else relate?

I first went on my Microsoft Word and typed in all the "Christmas-y" words I know in the clip-art search. I then adjusted them to the appropriate size.

Print out pictures and cut to desired sizes.Lay out pictures with approx 4 cm between them so you have room to leave a small edge of contact paper around each picture.Place all pictures face-up and lay contact paper on top making sure to avoid bubbles. It should look like this... with the back still sticky.Print and cut out your Daily Activities and/or Verses see bottom PDF if you want mine for ideas. Place cut out activities face-up on back of pictures.Place contact paper over the tops of activity cutouts and press firmly to eliminate bubbles. The front should look like this:Cut out each picture and place in circle on wreath starting with Day 1 at top.